RateHawk launches new tech-driven means of paying for bookings
RateHawk.com, an online system for booking hotels, air tickets and transfers for travel professionals, has launched new payment means: RateHawk’s partners can now pay for travel services with the client’s card while booking, or remotely by sending the client a payment link. The new solutions will help agents to significantly improve both their customer service and payment flow, while ensuring that business is carried out safely in any epidemiological environment.
Previously, the ability to pay for bookings with agent’s commission included in the price with a client’s card was only available to partners upon request. Now, however, all agents can use this functionality – the new methods are already available in their online accounts. Moreover, payment can be made in one of two ways: the partner either enters the client’s card information during booking, or else creates a payment link and sends it to the client in any convenient way, for example by email, SMS or social networks. In that case, the client merely needs to follow the link and complete payment with their card – the entire process is carried out remotely.
Payment by link is particularly useful when the client wants to pay with their card but the partner has no payment terminal. Further, the new payment method significantly simplifies communication between the agent and the client if they are located in different geographies – there is no need to meet in an office to effect payment, which means that business may be conducted from anywhere in the world. Moreover, using payment links will enable the agent to work in any epidemiological environment – it is a safe method, avoiding any physical contact between the parties.
Felix Shpilman, CEO of Emerging Travel Group which manages RateHawk, commented: “The development of payment tools for travel agents is part of our long-term strategy and is in line with global trends. This new link-based means of payment is a unique solution for many countries where payment tools are not yet well developed. This functionality completely changes the long-established operating principles of travel agencies and enables them to conduct business in any location without being tied to an office. It also meets the changing needs of clients, who everywhere prefer to obtain goods and services online, without leaving their home. We believe that booking travel services should become as simple as any other form of online shopping, and we are ready to invest our time and resources in this.”
The commission earned will be accrued to the partner after the client checks out. Information about its amount is available in a special report in the online account, and it can be found in the section Reporting – Closing Documents. Depending on the partner’s preference, the funds will be either transferred to their bank account or credited to their overpay account in the RateHawk system.